Water resistant/pressure lab tested only

[sub2004]

Hi Guys

I was in New Zealand for the weekend on a business meeting, went to Mansors and a few other ADs, nice stuff all around.

I picked up an IWC hard cover catalogue to read back on the flight home.

In the dive watches ection, IWC (i admire their truth) specifically state that dive watches are water resistant tested in a lab in a special machine that simulates water resistance and pressure.

Therefore these watches have never actually made it down that deep in a "live test". They also say that you should stay well clear of the maximum depth as in reality you can not be sure that the lab tested pressure will hold.

So to my question:

Is the Deep Sea lab tested to 3900 meters or did they do a live test also?

Lab testing is easy, you could guarantee a lot of watches theoretically very deep tested in the lab on the pressure testing machine.

Why pay so much for technology that is lab tested? Does the "ring lock" actually work at 3900 meters?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The testing equipment for testing the DSSD was made following exact specs from COMEX. I have no doubt that the watch is indeed tested to show if it can withstand the pressure it is said to be able to handle and that the equipment used to test it will show as reliable results as had the watch been tested by letting it go down 3,900 metres under water.

A test of the current SD was made, though.

The test is shown on Sheldon's page.

[Letsgodiving]

I seem to remember reading somewhere the DS was actually tested to 5000m with no problems.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

The testing equipment for testing the DSSD was made following exact specs from COMEX. I have no doubt that the watch is indeed tested to show if it can withstand the pressure it is said to be able to handle and that the equipment used to test it will show as reliable results as had the watch been tested by letting it go down 3,900 metres under water.

A test of the current SD was made, though.

The test is shown on Sheldon's page.

To be fair, that was one test of one SD. I don't think rolex strap every watch to that puppy.
The new SD was tested to 5000M but the numbers were 'bad luck"?

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by directioneng

To be fair, that was one test of one SD. I don't think rolex strap every watch to that puppy.
The new SD was tested to 5000M but the numbers were 'bad luck"?

Good call Eddie, as it fits into my numerology conspiracy theory!

5000 ain't that hot, and 4900 isn't much to write home about, but the 12800 is a winner!!

[Solar]

There's also the popular posting for the Sea Dweller where a Sea Dweller--not evidently part of any special Rolex test, just a standard Sea Dweller--is attached to the outside of a submersible, and taken down to 1220 meters.

Real world testing if ever there was.

Chris

[Baptistman]

1) Rolex test all their watches beyond the guaranteed depth rating
2) The current SD has been to the actual depth rated in the real world
3) The SDDS has been lab tested only but using Comex as the testing partner
4) Rolex are the only comapny that guarantee the watch to be WATERPROOF.
Most other comapnys use the term Water resistant, not sure how Rolex get away with stating Waterproof.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

1)
4) Rolex are the only comapny that guarantee the watch to be WATERPROOF.
Most other comapnys use the term Water resistant, not sure how Rolex get away with stating Waterproof.

Sorry,
Gotta wave the BS flag on this one. MTM asserts they are the only WATERPROOF watch maker. Rolex website does say waterproof to a depth, which is basically water resistant. This is all more legalise that anything else, but Rolex is nothing special here.

[Baptistman]

Originally Posted by BigHat

Sorry,
Gotta wave the BS flag on this one. MTM asserts they are the only WATERPROOF watch maker. Rolex website does say waterproof to a depth, which is basically water resistant. This is all more legalise that anything else, but Rolex is nothing special here.

Agreed, but if you check Rolex litrature they use the word Waterproof

[Trurolexer]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

Agreed, but if you check Rolex litrature they use the word Waterproof

X2!!!

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

Agreed, but if you check Rolex litrature they use the word Waterproof

Sorry DP

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

Agreed, but if you check Rolex litrature they use the word Waterproof

We're not at odds on that point. I said Rolex uses "waterproof" as do others. The Sub is waterproof to 300 meters. That's the depth caveat I was referring to and it's no different than "water resistant" to XX other than different lawyers wrote it.

From Blancpain on the Fifty Fathoms"

The three new models embody the main signature features that forged the reputation of the original Fifty Fathoms and of its subsequent versions. The same professionalism is apparent in the decisive design choices, dictated by a wealth of experience in the field of diving, its risks and its imperious necessities. The same water resistance to 300 metres. The same oversized hour-markers and hands ensuring optimal readability. The same black dial and bezel colour, against which the luminescent indications make a striking contrast.

From MTM:
MTM Xtreme Ops Seal Squad Diver Watch is the first divers watch to be legally declared Waterproof ! Its depth is measured in fathoms and leagues rather than feet and meters. Its fluid filled 316L solid block stainless steel case cannot be compressed, regardless of the depth.


Of course, most watches never see the bottom of a bath tub. How many diver's go to 300Ms? Not too many, the world record is only 313meters with sport equipment. Super hi-tech gear equipped USN personnel have reached 608 meters. Most watches are over engineered in this realm.

[seantk]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

I seem to remember reading somewhere the DS was actually tested to 5000m with no problems.

Rolex states the Deep Sea is pressure rated to 2.98 Metric Tonnes, which = 6570 PSI. This pressure would equate to a depth rating of approximately 14770 FT/ 4500m

I wonder what pressure/depth it could actually withstand before failure

Sean

[Scarface]

Originally Posted by Baptistman

1) Rolex test all their watches beyond the guaranteed depth rating

This is true. So, each time, the stated depth is the minimum one.

[wristworks]

Originally Posted by seantk

Rolex states the Deep Sea is pressure rated to 2.98 Metric Tonnes, which = 6570 PSI. This pressure would equate to a depth rating of approximately 14770 FT/ 4500m

I wonder what pressure/depth it could actually withstand before failure

Sean

Good info. Thanks.